As promised, here's the next installment of our 12 tips and tricks to make your life a little easier this holiday season. This week’s theme: Gift Giving. If you're stuck for ideas and keen to do things a little differently this year, read on for our take on a Christmas full of ease, joy, and a whole lot of jingle...
4. Gifting with purpose
You look like the kind of person who puts a lot of thought into gifts for the people on your list, am I right? But how about taking it one step further and considering the maker/producer behind your purchase too?
Where possible, ask the maker/shopkeeper questions about the product. How was it made, and by whom? What's the inspiration behind the finished product? What impact does your purchase have on them, and the environment?
In this way, your gift has the potential to become a great talking point with an interesting back-story - that's a triple whammy in my book!
And best of all, when you buy mindfully, you really can ignite a ripple of positive festive-feels that radiates well beyond the cash register. How good is that?
Of course we can't gloss over the fact here that Christmas is tough for many in our community. Consider making a donation - via time, money or goods - to help out. In Newcastle, we love the work the Soul Cafe do - check out their Christmas Appeal options here.
5. Go easy
With the Christmas season coinciding with end-of-year activities, a bevvy of social events and tinsel-melting heat, many of us can succumb to the busy-ness of the season and wind up feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Let's not have that. Be kind to YOU! Here are a few tips to go easy on yourself:
- Make giving easy by following a theme for all your gifts - food, sport, or books, for example
- Save the run-around and purchase all your gifts from the one place (Do we know anywhere? Yes, of course! Take a look around, you really can get your entire Christmas sorted with YFC!)
- Set a realistic budget for your gift buying - and stick to it!
- Make entertaining as fuss-free as possible - could you get any easier than a chocolate board for dessert, for example?
6. Practice presence
The truth is, long after the last of the wrapping paper has been recycled, it's your presence, not presentsthat family and friends will remember about Christmas 2020! So take a breath, put down the phone and simply be. Instigate a board game with the kids, tell a silly joke* or two, share the meal prep over a catch-up conversation with your favourite Aunt- you get the idea.
* Q: What says 'Oh-Oh-Oh'?
A: Santa walking backwards! (Honestly, this was the best one I could find!)
The spirit of giving
We hope these tips have you feeling all warm and fuzzy and ready to give in the spirit of Christmas.
